Poor sleep affects more than the night. It can influence memory, patience, attention and mood, making ordinary tasks feel disproportionately difficult. Sleep problems may also occur with anxiety, depression, pain, medication effects or conditions such as sleep apnoea. [1]
Some people hope to make up for weeks of poor sleep by sleeping much longer at weekends. But large shifts in sleep timing can make consistent sleep more difficult for some individuals. At the same time, worrying about how badly tomorrow will go can keep attention fixed on sleep. [2]
A useful assessment considers both night and day: How long has the problem lasted? Is there snoring, interrupted breathing, pain or significant daytime sleepiness? How is work and social life affected? Treatment should address the cause rather than simply offer a quick sleeping tablet. [3]
References
- NIH/NHLBI. Insomnia: What Is Insomnia?
- NIH/NHLBI. Sleep deprivation and deficiency: diagnosis and treatment.
- NIH/NHLBI. Sleep apnea: diagnosis and testing.
This information does not replace an individual medical assessment. Seek urgent assistance in an emergency.